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Madeline Turner #3
The Last Phoenix
It is the beginning of a new century and Maddy Turner, the first woman to occupy the White House, is about to become a wartime president. The war on terrorism has been too successful; the radical Islamic states have devised a brilliant, unthinkable strategy and found a new ally in a surging China. They know the price will be high, but the prize is control of the vast Middle Eastern oil reserves and the strategic Strait of Malacca. By working in concert where timing is critical, they intend to create a new axis of world power by ensnaring the president's armed forces in a devastating double-pronged conflict -- a war the American military can no longer win.
Fueled by the failure of her intelligence agencies to foresee the unexpected, President Turner must react to a global crisis of world-altering proportions, as nightmarish scenes of brutal conflict and terrorism are played out half a world away. It will take courage, remarkable cunning, stealth, luck, and seemingly unbearable sacrifice to avoid Armageddon, as she approaches what will either be her finest hour or her most tragic mistake. But working below the radarscopes of Turner's antagonists is an ancient warrior on a quest of vengeance in the jungles of Malaysia. Victor Kamigami, a legend in the world of special operations, is a wild card no one knows is in play.
Fighting for reelection against a political enemy as unprincipled and determined as her foes on the battlefield, Turner must turn to the man she trusts above all others, perhaps the only one she can trust in the brutal snake pit of Beltway politics: Brigadier General Matt Pontowski -- himself the grandson of a president -- a brilliant flier and military tactician, and an intimate confidant of the most powerful woman on earth. The mission she must entrust him with is bold and extraordinary -- and potentially suicidal -- a daring incursion into the Malaysian jungle, where a small force of determined warriors must hold off a fearsome, overwhelming aggressor long enough for another war to be won. The risks are astronomical, the chance of success slim. But the alternative is unthinkable. And it is the only road America has left.
Fueled by the failure of her intelligence agencies to foresee the unexpected, President Turner must react to a global crisis of world-altering proportions, as nightmarish scenes of brutal conflict and terrorism are played out half a world away. It will take courage, remarkable cunning, stealth, luck, and seemingly unbearable sacrifice to avoid Armageddon, as she approaches what will either be her finest hour or her most tragic mistake. But working below the radarscopes of Turner's antagonists is an ancient warrior on a quest of vengeance in the jungles of Malaysia. Victor Kamigami, a legend in the world of special operations, is a wild card no one knows is in play.
Fighting for reelection against a political enemy as unprincipled and determined as her foes on the battlefield, Turner must turn to the man she trusts above all others, perhaps the only one she can trust in the brutal snake pit of Beltway politics: Brigadier General Matt Pontowski -- himself the grandson of a president -- a brilliant flier and military tactician, and an intimate confidant of the most powerful woman on earth. The mission she must entrust him with is bold and extraordinary -- and potentially suicidal -- a daring incursion into the Malaysian jungle, where a small force of determined warriors must hold off a fearsome, overwhelming aggressor long enough for another war to be won. The risks are astronomical, the chance of success slim. But the alternative is unthinkable. And it is the only road America has left.
- GenresMilitary FictionFiction
448 pages, Hardcover
First published July 23, 2002
63 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Richard Herman
38 books51 followersAlso publishes as Richard Herman Jr.
Richard Herman was a member of the United States Air Force (Weapons System operator) for twenty-one years, retiring in 1983 with the rank of major. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Warbirds, Power Curve, Against All Enemies, Edge of Honor, and The Trojan Sea, all published by Avon Books.
(source Harper Collins)
Richard Herman was a member of the United States Air Force (Weapons System operator) for twenty-one years, retiring in 1983 with the rank of major. He is the author of ten previous novels, including The Warbirds, Power Curve, Against All Enemies, Edge of Honor, and The Trojan Sea, all published by Avon Books.
(source Harper Collins)
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 16, 2021
So long, and yet so short.
I have not read anything that can rival the Pentowski's series by Richard Herman. All the characters are memorable, with dialogue that gives them humanity, and the actions that deliver believability. This reader was seriously moved at the conclusion of the final book in the series. Pentowski, Jin Chu, Kamigami...all of the cast are like family members, woven into the storyline and participating in a story of heroism and the true cost of war. Even Boyca was an important member of the cast, a hero. I cannot truly express the pleasure and satisfaction that resulted from reading this series. Herman is THE Master.
I have not read anything that can rival the Pentowski's series by Richard Herman. All the characters are memorable, with dialogue that gives them humanity, and the actions that deliver believability. This reader was seriously moved at the conclusion of the final book in the series. Pentowski, Jin Chu, Kamigami...all of the cast are like family members, woven into the storyline and participating in a story of heroism and the true cost of war. Even Boyca was an important member of the cast, a hero. I cannot truly express the pleasure and satisfaction that resulted from reading this series. Herman is THE Master.
May 12, 2019
Even worse Tom Clancy
April 19, 2022
The Real Thing
This is a very realistic story of military action. The stories of numerous individuals who were in the actions sounded real and not all lasted to the end.
This is a very realistic story of military action. The stories of numerous individuals who were in the actions sounded real and not all lasted to the end.
February 22, 2026
2nd reading
After re-reading the whole series a 2nd time I found this one to be very familiar in that the plot is almost identical except for the site of the battles
reread only if desperate
After re-reading the whole series a 2nd time I found this one to be very familiar in that the plot is almost identical except for the site of the battles
reread only if desperate
March 12, 2015
This book was actually better than I thought it would be. Iran, Iraq, and Syria combine forces to create a new Islamic state and invade Saudi Arabia in a bid to control most of the world's oil supply and cut the United States off at the knees. Meanwhile, China attempts to gain control of the strategic Straight of Malacca. The United States military has been pared back so much that it will have difficulty in dealing with both situations at once, so it moves the majority of its forces to aid Saudi Arabia and a token force to help in Malaysia. By the end of the book, things are obviously made right.
The political situation is that the former female VP is now the President. Her political opponent is a scumbag [as all political opponents are]. The French are complete and utter jerks [shocker!]. These two flashpoints are occurring during an election year and the new President has to decide what is more important: attempting to win a war or win an election. A potential scandal could potentially disrupt the election for the sitting President.
The political situations were okay, I guess. Sometimes it seems like authors go out of their way to make a political opponent a jerk, a demon, or whatever else you want to call him [or her]. And then something happens in 'real life' that makes the demonization seem not quite as far-fetched.
Apparently there was a character from Dark Wing who makes his appearance in this book. It has been several years since I read that book, so I don't remember the character. He is a former US SpecFor warrior [ex-Army, if I remember correctly] who lived in Malaysia until his family was murdered by the Chinese. He seeks retribution, is given command of a highly touted Malaysian Special Forces group, and harasses the Chinese all in the name of justice [vengeance] for what was done to his family and home.
It was a good book; I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The pacing was about right; I wanted to finish the book and did not grow bored reading it. It was an interesting concept, on the one hand. It showed the importance of allies and nations working together for a common good as well as certain chokepoints and potential flashpoints. In my opinion, the undercurrent of the book deals with the cutting of the US Military to bare bones so that it is no longer able to deal with more than one regional threat at a time. Tom Clancy wrote a novel along these lines about twenty years ago [Debt of Honor] so perhaps this concern is not as great as some fear. On the other hand, it might be. Anyway. It was a good read.
The political situation is that the former female VP is now the President. Her political opponent is a scumbag [as all political opponents are]. The French are complete and utter jerks [shocker!]. These two flashpoints are occurring during an election year and the new President has to decide what is more important: attempting to win a war or win an election. A potential scandal could potentially disrupt the election for the sitting President.
The political situations were okay, I guess. Sometimes it seems like authors go out of their way to make a political opponent a jerk, a demon, or whatever else you want to call him [or her]. And then something happens in 'real life' that makes the demonization seem not quite as far-fetched.
Apparently there was a character from Dark Wing who makes his appearance in this book. It has been several years since I read that book, so I don't remember the character. He is a former US SpecFor warrior [ex-Army, if I remember correctly] who lived in Malaysia until his family was murdered by the Chinese. He seeks retribution, is given command of a highly touted Malaysian Special Forces group, and harasses the Chinese all in the name of justice [vengeance] for what was done to his family and home.
It was a good book; I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. The pacing was about right; I wanted to finish the book and did not grow bored reading it. It was an interesting concept, on the one hand. It showed the importance of allies and nations working together for a common good as well as certain chokepoints and potential flashpoints. In my opinion, the undercurrent of the book deals with the cutting of the US Military to bare bones so that it is no longer able to deal with more than one regional threat at a time. Tom Clancy wrote a novel along these lines about twenty years ago [Debt of Honor] so perhaps this concern is not as great as some fear. On the other hand, it might be. Anyway. It was a good read.
June 14, 2015
Great read & very realistic!
I read military fictional books frequently, and have so for years. This book REALLY have me the best understanding of all that goes into the strategic and tactical aspect of missions, and I actually teared up while reading the epilogue. It has great characters, and is a terrific read. I really enjoyed reading this book, and am starting another Richard Herman novel. Highly recommended!!!!!!
I read military fictional books frequently, and have so for years. This book REALLY have me the best understanding of all that goes into the strategic and tactical aspect of missions, and I actually teared up while reading the epilogue. It has great characters, and is a terrific read. I really enjoyed reading this book, and am starting another Richard Herman novel. Highly recommended!!!!!!
October 15, 2015
Three stars is a stretch, but I gave them anyway.
Story of a 'throw away' group of pilots and support personnel doing battle for Singapore against the PLA (Chinese army). Those who have read War Birds will recognize the basic plot, only in the jungle instead of the desert.
Story of a 'throw away' group of pilots and support personnel doing battle for Singapore against the PLA (Chinese army). Those who have read War Birds will recognize the basic plot, only in the jungle instead of the desert.
August 7, 2016
Excellent continuation of the saga
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Richard Herman attained his usual high standards. Love f ed it and already looking forward to the next in the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Richard Herman attained his usual high standards. Love f ed it and already looking forward to the next in the series.
December 26, 2013
Thrilling!
May 18, 2015
Excellent story
Great blend of battles and politics. Clash between right and left leaving military to pay the ultimate price. Great characters
Great blend of battles and politics. Clash between right and left leaving military to pay the ultimate price. Great characters
October 27, 2015
Great read!
First rate and action packed both in the field and back at DC. Very hard to put down. Thanks Mr. Herman.
First rate and action packed both in the field and back at DC. Very hard to put down. Thanks Mr. Herman.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews